New Jersey Community Tree Recovery Program Kicks Off Saturday in Paramus

Paramus, New Jersey (March 26, 2014) – The New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign -- a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry -- kicks off on Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. at Van Saun County Park in Paramus. The event marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign to provide 500,000 trees to New Jersey residents free of charge to replace trees damaged and destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.

This is the first in a series of Community Tree Recovery program events across the nation led by the Arbor Day Foundation and national program sponsor FedEx, which has long supported communities in need through disaster relief, recovery and environmental sustainability.

On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy made landfall in New Jersey where it damaged more than 340,000 homes and took 37 lives. The most severe storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, Sandy caused $30 billion in economic losses. As the residents of New Jersey continue to rebuild their communities, the Arbor Day Foundation and our partners are working to bring back the community tree canopy to help restore the delicate shoreline balance that makes New Jersey so unique.

The event will feature ceremonial tree plantings and brief remarks from representatives of the Arbor Day Foundation, the New Jersey State Forestry Services, and county and local government. Fernbrook Nurseries of Bordentown is donating ten trees to be planted at the Kickoff Event. All attendees will receive a seedling grown at the State Forest Nursery to commemorate the event.

A companion tree distribution event is also being held at BJ's Wholesale Club at 30 New Jersey 17, Paramus from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

During April, residents will be able to pick up tree seedlings with storage, care and planting instructions -- available on a first come, first served basis -- in communities across the state. Seedlings need to be planted within two days from pick-up to help ensure that they survive.

The New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign is a joint effort between the New Jersey State Forestry Services Community Forestry Program, The State Forest Nursery, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey and the Arbor Day Foundation. Financial support for the program is being provided by BJ's Wholesale Club, Brother International Corporation and FedEx.

Van Saun County Park was selected to highlight the damage caused by the Superstorm Sandy beyond the shore. Trees were knocked down and damaged by the storm-generated winds. Additionally, Paramus is the second oldest Tree City USA community in the nation, and has one of the more active community forestry programs in the state.

Trees can be assets to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood or shopping district, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

A tree seedling distribution master schedule with detailed pick-up information is available at arborday.org/newjerseytreeschedule.

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.